Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1887-11-04

How Tact Prsvsataaa Hostile Enoauns-z.


How Tact Prevented Hostile Enoountsr.
A master in any art IS properly more
pleased than annoyed at finding a
worthy rival; SO far among real artists
does admiration Of dne work exc
coed jealousy Of the artist Robert
Lonis Stevenson tells the following
chaFact eristic story Of two members of
hostile clans, who, meeting IN the hut
Of a common friend Duncan, were thus
sEilfully turned from possible blood
shed to friendly rivalry:
"Alr. Stewart, I'm thinking, said
Robin.
''Troth, Mr.. Macgregor. it's not a
name to be ashamed Of, answered
Alan.
"That's a kittIe point but I think I
viii have heard you are man of your
sword ?"
"Unless you were born deaf, ye VIII
have heard a good deal more than
that.
1t was O case of now or never, and
Duncan thrust himself between.
Gentlemen, I viii have been think
ing of very different matter. what
eher. Here are my pipes, and here
are you two gentlemen who are bath
acclaimed pipers. It's a auld dispute
which one of yes the best. Here Will
be a Draw chance to settle il.
"WhY, sir, said Alan still address
ing himself 10 Robin, from whom he
had not so much as shifted his eyes,
nor yet Robin from him, "have YOU
music, as folks say? Are you a bit OF a
piper?"
II can pipe like a AIacrimmon, cried
Robin.
"And that's a very bold word, quoth
Alan.
At have made holder words good be-
fore now, and that against better adj
Versaries.
at Is easy to try that.
The two enemies were still on the
very breach of a quarrel; but down
they sat, one on each side Of the peat
fire, with mighty show Of politeness,
and after a great number of civilies,
Robin took the pipes and played a little
spring in a very ranting manner.
GAY, ye can blow, said Alan; and
taking the instrument from his rival,
he played the same tune in d manner
identical to Robins and then wandered
into variations, which, as he went on,
ne decorated with q perfect flight of
grace-nOtes, such as pipers love, and
call the "warblers.
"That's no very bad, Mr.. Stewart,
but you show a poor device in your
warbler"
"Me!" cried Alan, the blood starting
to his face. al give ye the lie. d"
DO you own yourself beaten at the
pipes, then, that you seek to change
them for the sword 2"
"And that's very well said, Mr.. Mac
gregor; and, Ia the meantime, L take
back the lie"
Robin then proceeded to initiate and
correct some of Alan's variations,
which, it seemed, he remembered per
feetiy.
"Ay, We have music, said Alan
glocmily.
"And now be the Judge yourself, Mr.
Stewart" said Robin; and taking up
the variations from the beginning, he
worked them throughout to so new a
purpose, with such sentiment, and
with so quick a knack in the grace
notes, that all were amazed to hear
him. As for Alan, he sat like a man
under some deep adront.
Enough" he cried. aye can blow
the pipes make the most of that"
But Robin struck into the slow
music of a pibrOch, a piece peculiar to
the Stewards aud a chief favorite with
Alan. The first notes were scarce out
before there came a change in his face,
and long before that piece was at an
end, the last sign of his anger died
away, and he had no thought but for
the music.
"Robin Dig" said he, when It was
done, "ye are a great piper. I am not
TT to blow in the same kingdom with
ye. Body of mel ye have more music
in your spOrrau than 1 have in my head
And though it still sticks in my mind
that 1 could, maybe, show ye another
of it with the cold steel, 1 warn We be-
forehaud it'll no be fair. 1t would go
against my heart TO fight a man that
can blow the pipes as you can"
ThereupOn the quarrel was made up,
and all night long the pipes were
changing hands.
7s--aaE az Warrar- WFu